Nolan was called up from the Albany River Rats on December 21, 2007 due to Hurricanes forward Chad LaRose being placed on injured reserve. In his first NHL game versus Tampa Bay, Nolan earned his first NHL point with an assist on an Andrew Ladd goal in the first period. On December 28, he was reassigned back to the River Rats. Since that time, he has been sent back to Albany and recalled multiple times to fill in roster spots on the Hurricanes as injuries have been taking their toll on the team.

Nolan missed the entire 2008-09 season with a concussion, and has been subsequently released from the Carolina Hurricanes.[1]